Michael Brady QC prosecuted a number of defendants who were described by the judge as “lifestyle criminals who terrorised their victims,” one of whom, Kurtis Dilks, was convicted of being part of a gang who robbed ex-footballer Ashley Cole and his partner Sharon Canu in the presence of their children.
They were sentenced on Friday 15th July.
In addition to the Cole/Canu robberies Dilks along with Ashely Cumberpatch and Andrew MacDonald, all of whom were described as the “three central figures” in the conspiracies to rob, burgle and convert stolen property were convicted of three further conspiracies to rob, three conspiracies to burgle and associated converting offences.
One of the conspiracies to burgle involved the theft of the £3.75m and “culturally priceless” Portland Tiara and brooch from the Harley Gallery, Welbeck, Notts.
Tevfik Guccuk and Sercan Evsin, jewellers form Hatton Garden, were responsible for converting the stolen property. Guccuk “spirited away” away the the diamonds to Turkey within 36 hours of the burglary at the Harley Gallery.
The remaining robberies were conducted by Cumberpatch, MacDonald and Dilks with others, in the homes of the victims where they were threatened with a variety of weapons including one victim being tortured and having part of his ear severed with a pair of pliers.
Cumberpatch was sentenced to a 29-year extended sentence.
MacDonald was sentenced to a 32-year extended sentence.
Dilks was sentenced to a 35-year extended sentence.
Guccuk and Evsin received 7 and 5 year terms of imprisonment respectively.
A 6th defendant, Christopher Yorke, received a suspended period of imprisonment for his part in the Harley Gallery burglary.
Full details of the case can be found in the press links below:
BBC, BBC Analysis, Daily Mail, and Guardian.
For further information on Michael Brady QC, and other members of the Criminal Department, please contact Chambers Director James Parks, or, Criminal Department Senior Clerk James Hotchin or call 0161 278 8262.